High Zinc VR-1 Motor Oil ?

[oldcanuck]

Anybody running the high zinc Valvoline VR-1 motor oil in your hi-po 289 ?

If so, what variant and viscosity are you running, and can you give it some type of recommendation ?

Thanks in advance,

BG

[gt350hr]

   Yes 20-50.

[greekz]

I am (have been) using VR-1 20-50 for many years in both Shelbys. 

[6T6/7]

I run VR-1 10W-30.  20W-50 is too high viscosity than needed or should be run in a street driven engine imo.

[CSX 4133]

As an alternative to Valvoline Bob you might check out Brad Penn (Penn Grade) oil's. It has 1500 ppm of Zinc and 1350-1400 Phosphorus and a wide variety of oil weights.

~Steven


https://penngrade1.com

[s2ms]

I'm using VR-1 10W-30 as well.

[greekz]

I run VR-1 10W-30.  20W-50 is too high viscosity than needed or should be run in a street driven engine imo.

Have been using 20-50 for 30 years in my street engines with no problems at all.

[Tinface]

Great Post gentlemen. Thank you all. Confirms what I'm currently running. Although I believe the mechanic who didi the last oil change said 30 weight.

Is 30 weight alright?

[gt350hr]

I run VR-1 10W-30.  20W-50 is too high viscosity than needed or should be run in a street driven engine imo.

   That is very dependent on locality and bearing clearances. Some current engines "demand" 5-20 because of their clearances.

[69mach351w]

I have been running VR1 20W-50 in my non-Shelby 67 Mustang 289 that was rebuilt, flat tappet in stock form in 2000.  Zero Problems.

[68krrrr]

My shop has me using this one 20 /50 with the high zinc mine

[rcgt350]

I used VR-1 20W-50 for a couple seasons and then switched to Joe Gibbs 10W-30 High Zinc in my stock 67GT350

Original owners manual says 10W-30 so I did what it says, I'm still open to others thoughts on this though.

Joe Gibbs Racing Driven HR30 HR2 10W-30 High Zinc Petroleum Hot Rod Oil (Case of 12 Quarts) 02006

[6T6/7]

I run VR-1 10W-30.  20W-50 is too high viscosity than needed or should be run in a street driven engine imo.

   That is very dependent on locality and bearing clearances. Some current engines "demand" 5-20 because of their clearances.

Yes, agree.  I know my statement was pretty generic. Years ago I remember running Castrol 20-50 racing oil in my Boss 302 thinking is must be better since its "racing oil". As I've learned more about oil flow, bearing clearances, etc., I've developed the opinion that extra high viscosity is not always better. Obviously, running 20-50 isn't going to destroy an engine, as far as I know, or even show apparent problems in most cases. Although, hard to know what, if anything, is happening since its hidden and could be gradual over time. For what its worth, the owners manuals only call for any multi-viscosity with 40 weight for temperatures above 90F. Similar to how much zinc is needed, its difficult to draw a hard line. End the end, probably ok for anyone to use whatever viscosity their experience and comfort level tells them.         

[csheff]

Amsoil makes a good high zinc oil in 10w-30, 10w-40 & 20w-50 I use their oil in all my vehicles

[gt350hr]

   A low rpm seldom driven engine certainly does not need a high viscosity oil. A daily driver with freeway miles in weather like we have here in So Cal ( almost 90 today) is a good candidate. ANYTHING ( short of a late model "mod" motor) driven on the track "should" use a higher viscosity oil , even with an oil cooler. A small amount of common sense must be used. FE family engines have higher "natural" oil temps than "small blocks" , a higher viscosity should be used on them as well.
  Randy